Translation and Meaning of: 励ます - hagemasu

The Japanese word 「励ます」 (hagemasu) is a verb that means "to encourage" or "to stimulate." It is widely used in everyday Japanese to describe the act of offering moral support or encouragement to someone who is facing difficulties or challenges. This verb can be employed in various situations, from helping friends and family to the workplace, where a colleague may need a word of support. Furthermore, 「励ます」 carries with it a sense of human warmth and empathy, which are fundamental in human interactions.

Etymologically, 「励ます」 is composed of the kanji 「励」 (hagemasu) which means "to strive" or "to encourage." This kanji is formed by the radical 「力」 (chikara), which means "strength" or "power," indicating the connotation of giving strength or ability to someone through encouraging words or actions. The infinitive form of the verb is 「励ます」 (hagemasu), but it can also be conjugated in various forms to express time and level of politeness, such as 「励ましました」 (hagemashimashita), which is the polite past form.

The origin of the practice of encouraging or stimulating dates back to Japanese cultural values that emphasize the importance of mutual support and teamwork. This practice is intrinsically linked to various aspects of Japanese daily life, such as sports, education, and even traditional ceremonies. In Japan, this word is often seen in contexts of overcoming challenges, where it is hoped that the person will cheer up and continue their journey with renewed vigor and determination. In summary, the expression 「励ます」 serves as a reminder of the essential emotional support among people, reinforcing solidarity and companionship.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 励まし (hagemashi) - Encorajamento
• 励む (hagemu) - Strive; motivate yourself
• 鼓舞する (kobu suru) - Inspire; motivate; encourage (with more emphasis on inspiration)
• 奮い立たせる (furuitataseru) - Getting up; motivating oneself to act (emphasis on active motivation)

励ます

Romaji: hagemasu
Kana: はげます
Type: Verb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: to encourage; to twist; Raise (the voice)

Meaning in English: to encourage;to cheer;to raise (the voice)

Definition: To encourage and empower people.

Example Sentences - (励ます) hagemasu

See below some example sentences:

私は友達を励ますために彼女にエールを送ります。

Watashi wa tomodachi o hagemasu tame ni kanojo ni ēru o okurimasu

I send an encouragement message to my friend to encourage her.

I send her a beer to encourage my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - partícula que marca o tópico da frase, indicando que o assunto é "eu"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that "friend" is the object of the action
• 励ます (hagemasu) - verb meaning "to encourage"
• ために (tameni) - expression that indicates the purpose of the action, in this case "to encourage the friend"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - noun meaning "she"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the recipient of the action, in this case "she" is the recipient of the encouragement
• エール (eeru) - noun meaning "support" or "encouragement"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that "support" is the object of the action
• 送ります (okurimasu) - verb meaning "to send"